Assistant Professor

Tel: (+302610) 997161

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web Page: http://www.chem.upatras.gr/faculty/piperigkou

List of Publications:

• Google Scholar
• Publications List
• ORCID

Contact hours: Wendsday and Thursday 10:00-12:00

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2014-2018: PhD Thesis “Evaluation of the regulatory mechanisms governing biomolecules expression, functional properties and morphological characteristics of breast cancer cells”, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2011-2013: Master of Science in Applied Biochemistry: Clinical chemistry, Biotechnology and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2007-2011: Diploma in Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

Scientific activities

2023-present: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2021-2023: Adjunct Lecturer, Scientific field of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2020-2023: Postdoctoral researcher, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH)/Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Greece

2020: Adjunct Lecturer (P.D. 407/1980), Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2019-2020: Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2019: Postdoctoral researcher (FEBS fellow), Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Italy

2016-2017: Visiting researcher (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange) in spin-off Serend-IP GmbH, Nanotechnology Center, University of Münster, Germany

2016: Visiting researcher (DAAD fellow) in the Department of Medicine, University of Münster and in the University Medical Center, Münster, Germany

Guest Editor/Invited Reviewer

• Editor in Special Issue: Desiphering the Network of Cell Receptors and Matrix in Health and Disease 2023, Biomolecules, https://www.mdpi.com/si/153670
• Co-Editor with Prof. Nikos Karamanos in Topical Collection: Matrix Effectors and Cancer, Cancers, https://www.mdpi.com/si/43300
• Co-Editor with Prof. Marco Franchi in Special Issue: Desiphering the Network of Cell Receptors and Matrix in Health and Disease, Biomolecules, https://www.mdpi.com/si/34569
• Invited reviewer in several international scientific journals, among others: Nature Scientific Reports, Molecular Biology Reports, Proteoglycan Research, PLOS ONE, Bioengineering, The FEBS Journal, FEBS Open Bio, Food and Chemical Toxicology, International Journal of Biological Sciences.

Editorial Board Member

• Member of the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Oncology

(https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/sections/cancer-molecular-targets-and-therapeutics)

• Member of the Editorial Board of American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology

(https://journals.physiology.org/ajpcell/edboard)

• Associate Academic Member in Faculty Opinions (H1 Connect)

(https://connect.h1.co/member/1089746)

Organization of National and International Conferences, Meetings, Forums

• 9^th Young Scientists Forum of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (HSBMB), 2022, Chairwoman
• 6^th, 7^th, 8^th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets (FEBS-MPST), 2017, 2019, 2022
• Young Scientists Committees in 6^th & 8^th FEBS-MPST, 2017 & 2022
• FEBS Education Workshop on Molecular Life Sciences, 2018, Chairwoman
• FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Extracellular Matrix: Cell Regulation, Epigenetics & Modeling, 2018
• 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th Young Scientists Forum of the HSBMB, 2015, 2017, 2019

Honors and Awards

2022: Young Investigator award by the International Society for Matrix Biology, 8^th FEBS-MPST, for the best oral presentation, Title: ESR2 drives epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and tumorigenesis through epigenetic signatures in aggressive breast cancer

2022: FEBS Journal top-cited Paper award, Title: A guide to the composition and functions of the extracellular matrix

2021: Early career researcher award in Chemistry by Greek Chemists Association, 1^st International Forum Women+

2020: Recommended article in Faculty Opinions (H1 Connect), Top 2% articles in Developmental Biology, Title: Estrogen receptor beta as epigenetic mediator of miR-10b and miR-145 in mammary cancer

2019: Best oral presentation award by The FEBS Journal, 7^th FEBS-MPST, Title: Estrogen receptor beta as epigenetic mediator of miR-10b, miR-200b and miR-145 in mammary cancer

2018: Best oral presentation award by FEBS Letters, FEBS-ECM 2018, Title: Estrogen receptors as epigenetic mediators of miR-10b and miR-200b in mammary cancer

2017: Best oral presentation award by Matrix Biology Ireland, 6^th FEBS-MPST, Title: MicroRNA targeting as a regulatory mechanism of breast cancer cells with different estrogen receptor status

2017: Recommended article in Faculty Opinions (H1 Connect), Top 2% articles in Cellular Biology, Title: Estrogen receptor beta modulates breast cancer cells functional properties, signaling and expression of matrix molecules

2017: Travel grant from HSBMB for the 6^th FEBS-MPST

2016: Travel grant from German Society for Matrix Biology for the 2^nd Matrix Biology Europe

2011-2018: Travel grants from HSBMB for participating the annual HSBMB conferences

2009: Excellence award by the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (ΙΚΥ)

Fellowships

2019: FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) short-term post-doctoral fellowship

2018: FORTH-ICE/HT postgraduate fellowship

2017-2018: Greek State Scholarships Foundation PhD fellowship

2016: Short-term Research Grant by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

2016: Erasmus+ Exchange Studies internship

2012-2017: Postgraduate fellowship for teaching and laboratory assistance by the Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2012-2013 & 2014-2015: FORTH-ICE/HT postgraduate fellowships

Publications/Book Chapters/Recognition

• 44 publications in international peer-reviewed (refereed) journals
• 3 publications as chapters in book series
• >60 abstracts in proceedings of International and National scientific conferences
• Invited Lecture in FEBS Advanced Course “Crosstalk between the ECM and Proteases from destruction to regeneration”, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 2023, Title: ECM remodeling in cancer: old and new bioactive players
• h-index: 25; i-index: 30 (Google Scholar)
• Citations >2300 (Google Scholar)

Research Projects

• DIAGONAL – Development and scaled implementation of safe by design tools and guidelines for multicomponent and harn nanomaterials, Horizon 2020, FORTH/ICE-HT (2021-2023)
• ROOF-BREATH – Development of nano carbon embedded breathable polyolefin films for industrial/construction roofing membranes, NSRF 2014-2020, FORTH/ICE-HT (2020-2021)
• ArthroMicroPerMed – Nanobiotechnological Injectible Extracellular Matrix (ECM) for cartilage regeneration, personalized therapy and identification of “individual” microbe metabolites involved in joint regeneration, NSRF 2014-2020, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras (2019-2020)
• GLYCANC – Matrix glycans as multifunctional pathogenesis factors and therapeutic targets in cancer, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE), Horizon 2020, Serend-IP GmbH, University of Münster, Germany (2016-2017)
• NanoBarrier – Extended shelf-life biopolymers for sustainable and multifunctional food packaging solutions, FP7-NMP, FORTH/ICE-HT (2012-2013, 2014-2015)
• BioCancerTalk – Intracellular crosstalk between ERα/β, EGF and IGF receptors in development and progression of breast cancer, NSRF 2007-2013, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras (2014-2016)

Scientific Organization Membership

• International Society for Matrix Biology (Council and Executive Committee Member as elected Early Career Researcher)
• Hellenic Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (FEBS Constituent Society)
• German Society for Matrix Biology
• Association of Greek Chemists

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Courses

Undergraduate

• Enzymology
• Food Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Biochemistry ΙΙ (Laboratory practice)

Postrgraduate

• Molecular and Cellular Biology-Molecular Biotechnology

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Research Activities

Scientific fields: Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Extracellular Matrix Biology, Epigenetic Mechanisms focusing on microRNAs, Cellular Signaling, Biological Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products, Cytotoxicological assessment.

• Development of advanced 3D in vitro breast cancer cell-derived models mimicking the tumor microenvironment and architecture
• Evaluation of the structure and functionality of extracellular matrix macromolecules, such as cellular and extracellular proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, matrix metalloproteinases and other proteases and glycolytic enzymes, as well as microRNAs in malignant neoplasms
• Studies on the biological actions of glycosaminoglycans and their nano-derivatives, growth factors, growth factor receptors, estrogens and estrogen receptors in in vitro breast cancer models (growth, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, cellular morphology) and in vivo models
• Studies on the differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells to chondrocytes using matrix-based bioscaffolds for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for joint pathologies
• Mechanisms of cellular signaling and biosynthesis of macromolecules
• Evaluation of the effects of pharmaceutical compounds at the molecular and cellular level
• Cytotoxicity studies of nanomaterials and new synthetic products at the cellular and molecular level to determine the potential health risks of human exposure that are applied in air filters, innovative food packaging, roof materials and novel therapeutic approaches

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Representative Publications

• Extracellular matrix biomechanical roles and adaptation in health and disease, Franchi M, Piperigkou Z, Mastronikolis NS, Karamanos N, FEBS Journal, 2023, In Press. doi: 10.1111/febs.16938
• Enhancement of mesenchymal stem cells' chondrogenic potential by type II collagen-based bioscaffolds, Piperigkou Z, Bainantzou D, Makri N, Papachristou E, Mantsou A, Papi R, Choli-Papadopoulou T, Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK, Molecular Biology Reports, 2023, 50(6):5125-5135. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08461-x.
• Recreating the extracellular matrix: novel 3D cell culture platforms in cancer research, Kyriakopoulou K, Koutsakis C, Piperigkou Z, Karamanos NK, FEBS Journal, In Press, doi: 10.1111/febs.16778.
• ESR2: a critical factor of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, matrix expression and triple-negative breast cancer tumorigenesis in vivo, Piperigkou Z, Koutsandreas A, Franchi M, Zolota V, Kletsas D, Passi AG, Karamanos NK, Frontiers in Oncology, 2022, 12, 917633. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.917633.
• Extracellular matrix-based cancer targeting, Karamanos NK, Piperigkou Z, Passi A, Götte M, Rousselle P, Vlodavsky I, Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2021, 27(10), 1000-1013. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.07.009.
• miR-200b restrains EMT and aggressiveness and regulates matrix composition depending on ER status and signaling in mammary cancer, Piperigkou Z, Franchi M, Riethmüller C, Götte M, Karamanos NK, Matrix Biology Plus, 2020, 6-7, 100024. doi: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2020.100024.
• Estrogen receptor beta as epigenetic mediator of miR-10b and miR-145 in mammary cancer, Piperigkou Z, Franchi M, Götte M, Karamanos NK, Matrix Biology, 2017, 64, 94-111. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.08.002.
• Estrogen receptor beta modulates breast cancer cells functional properties, signaling and expression of matrix molecules, Piperigkou Z, Bouris P, Onisto M, Franchi M, Kletsas D, Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK, Matrix Biology, 2016, 56, 4-23. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.05.003.
• Proteoglycan Chemical Diversity Drives Multifunctional Cell Regulation and Therapeutics. Karamanos NK, Piperigkou Z, Theocharis AD, Watanabe H, Franchi M, Baud S, Brézillon S, Götte M, Passi A, Vigetti D, Ricard-Blum S, Sanderson RD, Neill T, Iozzo RV, Chemical Reviews, 2018, 118(18), 9152-9232. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00354.
• Emerging aspects of nanotoxicology in health and disease: from agriculture and food sector to cancer therapeutics, Piperigkou Z, Karamanou K, Engin AB, Gialeli C, Docea AO, Vynios DH, Pavão MS, Golokhvast KS, Shtilman MI, Argiris A, Shishatskaya E, Tsatsakis AM, Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2016, 91:42-57. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.03.003.